Capture Pensioners In Your Palliatives, CoPDEM Tells FG

The Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (CoPDEM) has called on the Bola Ahmed Tinubu led federal government to ensure that it captures the retirees in the palliatives that will soon be rolled out to Nigerians.

CoPDEM also condemned what it described as threats to the peace and unity of Nigeria and called on everyone to eschew bitterness and work for the good of the country.

Speaking at a press conference, the spokesman of CoPDEM, Danjuma Garba Musa, said retirees and co-civil servants should be well captured in the palliatives. 

“The bulk of the career civil servants and pensioners are not included in the palliatives even though they bear the brunt of the subsidy removal more than the politicians whose allowances and salaries are world class. 

“A democratically elected government ought to consider the plight of the masses in both the public and private sector that are the majority and the most vulnerable. 

 “Sequel to these, it is on the news that a 24 hour curfew has been imposed in Yola town, Adamawa State capital, as a result mass looting of foodstuff warehouses by people, as was experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic. This is a clear indication of indignation and destitution that may likely become endemic. COPDEM calls on governments at all levels to be responsive and sensitive to the plight of the people. Democracy can best thrive if poverty and unemployment are reduced. 

“COPDEM is taking this opportunity to urge all Nigerians to continue to pray for the country in these trying times. It is equally significant to maintain the values of peace and unity through respect and tolerance for each other while appreciating our differences and diversities. Active participation in politics and governance by all and sundry is a sure way of protecting and promoting our democracy,” he said.